All aboard ...

All aboard, the Polar Express. We took the kids to Williams, Arizona ... where we boarded a train for the North Pole. It was a magically experience for us all. 

 Ty's favorite part was the hot chocolate and cookies. He also loved being with all his friends. (We went with about 14 families. 78 in our group. We almost took up the entire train car.)

 Eli loved his bell. Emma's favorite was the story they read. She loved the whole train experience.

 After visiting the North Pole, we sang carols.  Guess who decided to join us ... yep, Santa boarded our train. He stopped and talked to each kid (and a few adults.)

 Emma was thrilled to meet Mrs. Claus. She was all smiles and even gave Mrs. Claus a big hug. Some of the guys joined in for a picture with the big guy's wife.

The group we went with all spent the night at the same hotel. The kids all played and even swam together in the hotel pool. (I could only handle the hot tub.) It was a wonderful, magical, exciting and all around fun trip. I think we have found a new family tradition.

Thanksgiving

 We stayed in town this year for Thanksgiving. It was fun to be home with our own family and not have to worry about a quick trip. A few of our friends were staying in town too, so we had dinner together.

 The guys and prego lady resting after dinner. 

 Emma was the only girl in our three families. She decided that was "special."

We had a wonderful feast. The funny part was that none of us had ever had Thanksgiving away from our families. So, we all prepared enough food from what we had seen with our moms. We had tons, tons and tons of food. Oops. At least we all took a whole dinner home with us. Yummy leftovers.